Computer Displays Might Get 125 TV Licence Fee in France
The French government is considering extending the television licence fee to include computer screen owners to boost revenues for public-sector broadcasting operations, the culture minister said on Saturday. President Franois Hollande’s Socialist government aims to raise an extra 7.5bn (6bn) this year through tax rises included in an amended budget bill to be unveiled next week. The licence fee 125 ($158) in mainland France and 80 ($101) in its overseas territories is used to finance public television and radio. According to a Global TV survey in March, more than 11 million French people watch television programmes on computer screens, tablets or smart phones, a rise of 41% on 2011. This would be hefty fee to pay for those that don’t use a computer monitor to watch TV! This fee is per household though and not per item, so it shouldn’t impact that many people.
“Is it necessary to extend the fee to (computer) screens when you do not have a television? It is a question we’re asking ourselves, but obviously it would be a fee per household and you would not have to pay an (additional) fee if you have a computer and a television,” Aurlie Filippetti said on RTL radio.
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